Racial Trauma

An individual who directly or indirectly experiences an emotionally painful, impactful, and uncontrollable racist encounter is at risk for developing race-based traumatic stress. The mental and emotional injury caused by encounters with racial bias and ethnic discrimination, racism, and hate crimes is called racialized trauma. The impact of racialized trauma can have serious psychological effects on an individual and their greater community. Racial trauma can transmit intergenerationally and manifests differently among different cultures. Symptoms of racialized trauma are like those of post-traumatic stress disorder. 

There is currently no diagnosis for Racial Trauma, but it is instead considered a mental wound. It is important to seek treatment from a multicultural or racial informed therapist who can provide a safe, empowering, and culturally affirming environment.